Search location by ZIP code

NEWS ARCHIVE

Cocoa Housing Authority accused of misusing $1.3M

The director of a local housing authority has been forced out of his job after allegations he misused taxpayer money.

Share

Shares

Copy Link

{copyShortcut} to copy
Link copied!

Updated: 6:19 PM EDT Apr 22, 2013

Cocoa Housing Authority accused of misusing $1.3M

The director of a local housing authority has been forced out of his job after allegations he misused taxpayer money.

Share

Shares

Copy Link

{copyShortcut} to copy
Link copied!

Updated: 6:19 PM EDT Apr 22, 2013

Hide TranscriptShow Transcript

WEBVTT THE DIRECTOR OF A LOCAL HOUSING AUTHORITY NOW FORCED OUT OF THAT JOB AFTER ALLEGATIONS HE MISUSED TAXPAYER MONEY. THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SAYS MORE THAN A MILLION OF YOUR TAX DOLLARS HAVE BEEN SPENT. DAN BILLOW IS IN COCOA. WHAT HAPPENED TO ALL THE MONEY. WELL THAT'S THE BIG QUESTION. THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SAYS IT WAS MISSPENT AND WANTS IT BACK BUT THE FOLKS HERE AT THE LOCAL HOUSING AUTHORITY SAY IT WAS NOT MISSPENT. I THINK HUD IS NOT BEHAVING CORRECTLY. AT THE COCOA HOUSING AUTHORITY BUILDING THIS MORNING FEDERAL AGENTS STEPPED IN AND STARTED CONFISCATING RECORDS. HUD WHO HAS COME IN HERE, TAKEN OVER AND LACK OF A BETTER WORDS FIRED THE STAFF. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MARK STARLING WAS TOLD IF HE RETURNS HE'LL BE ARRESTED FOR TRESPASSING. THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT OR HUD SAYS THE HOUSING AUTHORITY VIOLATED FEDERAL LAW AND DEFAULTED ON IT'S AGREEMENT WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. IT'S SHAMEFUL AND IT IS A TRAVESTY ESPECIALLY IN THESE HARD ECONOMIC TIMES WE'RE HAVING. OUR GREATEST SHAME IN COCOA HAS ALWAYS BEEN HOUSING AUTHORITY. HUD SAYS THE LOCAL HOUSING AUTHORITY SPENT THE MONEY ON UNAUTHORIZED EXPENSES. THE MONEY IS SUPPOSE TO PROVIDE HOUSING SUCH AS THESE UNITS FOR THE POOR. A LOCAL HOUSING AUTHORITY SAYS HUD HAS NOT PROVEN THE MONEY WAS MISSPENT AND THE LOCAL AGENCY SAYS IT CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY IT BACK. TAKING THAT KIND OF HIT FROM THE BUCKET WHICH ISN'T -- BUDGET IS GOING TO BE A MAJOR DISRUPTION TO THE SERVICES THAT ARE PROVIDED TO THE COCOA HOUSING AUTHORITY. AND NOW THE HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT AGENCY ITSELF IS RUNNING AND HAS TAKEN OVER THE LOCAL HOUSING AUTHORITY HERE. OFFICIALS HAVE MADE NO MENTION OF FILING ANY CRIMINAL CHARGES.

Cocoa Housing Authority accused of misusing $1.3M

The director of a local housing authority has been forced out of his job after allegations he misused taxpayer money.